[pct-l] Stream crossings

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Hi, Bruce!

This subject comes up every year and we are happy to talk about why we do what we do. 

As you may know, we teach Wilderness Skills, mostly Snow Safety Skills, so that hikers need not be afraid of it. We also teach summer skills like crossing swollen creeks. Squatch has even captured us doing just this on DVD ('06?) in a creek just north of Kennedy Meadows!

Facing the opposite bank allows us to minimize the amount of our body that is pummeled by the torrent, to seek foot placements we can see and feel in a natural manner moving forward, to easily select a route across, and to use a long branch or walking stick as a "third foot" immediately downstream for balance. I believe we have some of our own video shot last Spring of us doing just this along the PCT north of Mt. Whitney. We're still trying to get all of this footage onto our new and future website for the school...



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bruce 'Buck' Nelson 
  To: ned at mountaineducation.org 
  Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 5:13 AM
  Subject: Re: Stream crossings


  Hi Ned,

  Very good.  The "topic within the topic" I'm interested in is why you folks face the opposite bank when crossing solo, rather than facing upstream which is what's usually taught.

  I've actually got a lot of experience crossing tough spots, on the PCT and in Alaska (I live in Fairbanks) and elsewhere. I face the opposite bank also, and I've got my theory as to why it works best for me. What are your reasons?

  No need to cover the whole stream crossing topic if you'd be so kind as to give me your theories on the this one facet.

  I hope the course goes well today. There are a lot of close calls on the PCT, I saw some myself last year!

  Thanks Ned!

  Buck


  On Thu, Jan 6, 2011 at 6:44 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

    Hi, Buck!

    You can watch the way we teach it on one of Squatch's "Walking" videos from the trail taken in 2006 out of KM, or I can just tell you that we encourage group crossings, but if that is not possible, and you've ruled out all the "better and dryer" ways to cross, use your poles together as a "third leg" downstream and face the way you're going. 

    There is so much to tell on this subject and I do not have the time right now, but remind me to get back to you as we are teaching another of our Snow Skills Courses starting tomorrow and have to go pack up!


    "Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

    Ned Tibbits, Director
    Mountain Education
    1106A Ski Run Blvd
    South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
        P: 888-996-8333
        F: 530-541-1456
        C: 530-721-1551
        http://www.mountaineducation.org
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Bruce 'Buck' Nelson 
      To: Info at mountaineducation.org 
      Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 5:04 PM
      Subject: Stream crossings


      Hi,

      I've asked many people about their stream crossing techniques, and have read quite a bit of advice from experts. People tend to agree on most of the basics, like finding the easiest crossing point, considering the consequences if you fall, etc.

      I'm curious what you advise as to which direction a solo hiker should face in relation to the current, all things being equal. Or, which is better, facing upstream or toward the opposite bank.

      I've actually got a lot of experience,  but I do some things differently than others and I'm trying to figure out if I should change my ways!

      Thanks!

      Bruce aka Buck, Trail name: Colter

      -- 
      www.bucktrack.com 




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